| Swordmaster Wraths of Time |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Wraths Of Time
2. Upon blood And Ashes
3. Conspiracy - Preview
4. Outro
Release Date: 1995 | |
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4 of 4 thought this review was well written
Even in the most popular of musical genres, there lurks many talented bands just hiding in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. Now imagine Black Metal, one of the most underground genres in existence, and the thousands of bands who show originality, technical proficiency, and all around creativity that would put most mainstream bands to shame and disgrace. Sadly, many of these bands never get the chance to rear their heads into the limelight, due to many unseen and unpredictable circumstances. Its a shame then, that a band as good as Swordmaster (which consists of future members of electro/metal outfit the Deathstars) never really got to see the light of day. The band contained the chops, the beats and the unique qualities to lead the Black Metal pack, all of which is clearly evident on the band's first release, Wraths of Time
Great opening track Wraths of Time opens with fast, tremolo picked guitars, that while original, maintain the "cold" atmosphere aesthetic of classic Black Metal. The drumming consists mainly of well played and accurate blast beats, that help the song easily transform from raging, violent Black Metal to something a bit more melodic. The guitar line morphs into an amazingly melodic and strong Dissection-esque melodic Black Metal tremolo picked line, and then, something more influenced by early melodic Death Metal. The vocals introduce themselves, its almost shocking to find that current Deathstars frontman Whiplasher (A.K.A. Andreas Bergh), has a harsh, raspy bark, most suiting for this intense form of music. He can pull of the high, phlegmy typical Black Metal vocals as well as more guttural Death Metal influenced ones as well. Next song, Upon Blood and Ashes... begins slow and Doom Metal influenced, with crawling, dragging open powerchords, but then takes a complete twist, bringing in dissonant tremolo picked chords and lightning fast drum work. This song is more akin to traditional Mayhem, and Darkthrone early Black Metal, with some melodic flourishes, creating a great contrast between melody and unrelenting brutality. Throughout most of a song, a melodic, yet simple lead is played repeatedly, but this simple guitar line is the core melody of the song, upon which everything else is based on, which no doubts helps the song jump from its sometimes melodic path to its more chaotic moments. This EP also contains the songs Conspiracy-Preview and Outro, but due to the fact that neither of these are full songs, they won't be reviewed here.
While, truly only 2 songs long, the Wraths of Time EP would be a great addition to any Black Metallers catalog. Even at this young stage in their career, it was quite obvious that this band was a force to be reckoned with in the Black Metal scene. It truly is a mystery as to how Swordmasterp a clearly talented group couldn't break into the big leagues, even though they deserved to be grabbing headlines everywhere. Hopes can remain high though, for as long as their great music continues in circulation today, one day, maybe just one day in the future ,this band will find the recognition they deserve.
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Album Rating: 3.5
Short review, for a really short EP.
The Conspiracy-Preview only gives you a minute or two of music (which was actually very solid) but fades out before any vocals or anything else come in. The Outro is just some creepy demonic growl. Anyways, the first two songs are really great and should be checked out for sure.
Digging: Mistur - Attende | | |
Good review. Haven't heard this, but the Deathstars are pretty lame.
"thousands of bands who show originality, technical proficiency, and all around creativity"
Technical proficiency really isn't a feature of black metal. Nor is originality.
Digging: Masachist - Death March Fury
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Eh, i disagree, but you said my review was good so i'll let it slide haha
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But hey, i actually really like black metal, but really only the 2nd wave of bands were 'original'. Everything else just rips them off or just combines it with another genre (ie post-rock, folk).
BLACK METAL!!!!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
haha, yeah, combining has become big in BM recently.
BLACK METAL FTW
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Also, there is just way too many bm bands, i've given up trying to listen to the all. I just stick to the stuff i know is good. I'll make more of an effort to check out some lessor know (KVLT) bm from now on.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I've also recently been on a quest to find more "KVLT" black metal, but then i always find myself back to Enslaved lol.
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Now Enslaved are a fucking cool band. They have been consistently amazing through out their career and change their sound just enough on every album. In fact, they are one of the only black metal bands i know that have released 3 awesome modern black metal albums in a row.
cool story bro?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Lol i completely agree with it for the most part, so yes indeed, cool story.
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please tell me you like Windir?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
ohhhh yeah :D
have you heard Mistur? the band that the lead guitarist formed after Windir?
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with the name "Swordmaster" I was expecting a power metal review and I got black metal instead? Yeah that pretty much seals it I don't really have a choice in checking this out now. I'm kind of reluctant to look into this because of the Deathstars reference but I won't let that stop me.
Digging: Jesu - Silver
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swordmaster+bm is pretty much sold, yeah
Digging: Dead Congregation - Purifying Consecrated Ground
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Had it been power metal I'd be more inclined to actually care about this. Pos. for a fancy review.
Digging: Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tattoo
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks all :D
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yeh i know Mistur, and Vreid
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Good review. I think this is the first really positive review I've seen for this band (or I'm just mistaken).I've also recently been on a quest to find more "KVLT" black metal, but then i always find myself back to Enslaved lol. In that case try Malsain - "The Disease". It reminds me of "Below the Lights" era Enslaved.
Digging: The Shizit - The Shizit
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dunno Willie, Moribund Transgoria is damn awesome and it has a very positive review here. you should check it out tbh.
Digging: Dark Age - Acedia
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I've got so many albums to check out right now... I'll add it to the list.
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yeah take your time, i'm not really "pushing" you, just I think you might like Moribund as it has a relatively cool production for such an old album and the guitawork is seriously excellent. Vocals are pretty good too (the vocalist is now the frontman of the goth/industrial band Deathstars, but the vocal style he exhibits with Swordmaster is totally different from the one you might have heard from Deathstars).
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